The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-02-07
FRuIT-CRoWERs.
Winter Meeting of the Maine Pomo-
logical Society

PENNINGTON, Feb. 8, 1887.
The fourteenth annual meeting of the
State Pathological Society opened its session
in Music Hall in this village to-day, Presi-
dent Chas. S. Pope in the chair. The fore
noon was devoted exclusively to a business
meeting, the attendance being very good.
The secretary and treasurer presented
their reports which were accepted. The re-
port of the treasurer showed that the re-
ceipts for the year 1856 had been Sl,725.S6;
expenditures, $l,644.S5, leaving a balance in
the treasury of $Sl51. The election of Off
GERS resulted as followsi
President Charles S. Pope, Manchester.
Vice President-D. j. Briggs South Turner.
y. &. Nelson, New Gloucester.
Secretary-Samuel l. Boardman. Augusta.
Ireasurer-Dayid ii. Knowlton, Pennington
Executive Commlttee-J. w. True New CLIQUE
estert L, Il. Blossom Turner Centre; w. p. Ath-
erton, Hallowell
Houlton s. Il. Sweetsir Cumberland Centre; Nj.
G. Hobbs, West Pennington; Clas. G. atkins
Buckspori: A. E.; Andrews, Gardiner; Elmas
Hoifses. Warren; ii. j. A. Simmons, Waldoboro;
J. X. Hamnond, Paris; j. Il. Bennoch .Orono;
II. A. Robinson, F0xcroft: IL. S. Cary; Topsham;
J 5. Hoxie, North Fairfield; d. B. johnson, Free
erick
The above named Board of Trustees COM
prises one member for each county in the
State.
The convention assembled in the afternoon
at two o'clock, Vice President, ID. ]. Briggs,
in the chair. Hon. j. G. Hoyt, of Farming
ton, was introduced, and gave an address of
welcome to the society in behalf of the Frank
lin Country Agricultural Society, and the
citizens of Pennington. He reviewed the
progress of the county not only in her agri-
cultural but also In her business interests,
and referred to the personal loss which the
people of the town had sustained in the de-
struction of many of its handsomest build
ings by the recent fire. Mr.. Hoyt spoke of
the great ad7ance made in the growing of
fruit in the county and attributed the sue
cess attained in large measure to the State
Pathological Society. He also spoke of the
prosperity of the farmers of the section, as
shown by the large deposit to their credit in
the savings banks Of Pennington and Phil
lips. The address of welcome was briefly
responded to by the secretary, Mr.. Board
man, on the part of the society.
The President Chas. S. Pope, then deliv-
cred his annual address. 1t was in the ma
ture of review of the work of the society,
in its meetings and exhibitions, for the past
year. He referred to the death OF Hon;
Marshall p. Wilder, President of the Amer-
can Pathological Society, and also to that Of
Hon. r. I'll. Gardner of our own State. His
address commended the action of the Gov
ernor in suggesting, in his message the OBJ
seryance OF Arbor Day, and suggested that
committee be appointed to urge the pass
a oil riff 70 +ln
Hatch Experiment Station bill, now before
Congress, believing it to be of great impor-
lance TO the genealogical interests of the
country, II experiments and tests in fruit
growing could form part of its work, es4
pecially relating to injurious insects and dis
seases of fruit and fruit trees.
After the annual address of President
Pope, memorial sketch of the late Hon
Robert ii. Gardiner, of Gardiner was read
BY the secretary; Mr.. Gardiner was presi-
dent Of the society for the years tSS0S4 and
was deeply interested in its work. He was
prominently known throughout the State as
a leading business man, of Gardiner, men,
Der of the State Historical Society," and ac-
lively interested in the Episcopal church.
lie died in September, last, while the annual
fair OF the society was in progress at Lewis
ton, at tue age of n years.
A paper was then read by Mr.. p. Whittier
OF Chesterville, detailing his experiences in
raising and marketing apples; Mr.. Whittier
S.iS Va eiit iol SNob OiOnululobo III NldlDe.
having raised the past year 1900 barrels of
apples. The practical points of his paper
were that we should not grow too many va
Iletles, his attention being given almost
wholly to the Baldwin, which he regards the
best variety for profit. In keeping up the
fertility of an orchard, he spoke highly of
pasturing it to sheep, but he also manures
heavily and mulches all his trees, even the
Oldest ones. In sorting his apples three grades
are made--an extra No. /, No. 2. and a
FxryIf oh 10 fO.
Grating. Mr.. Whittier has practiced evapor-
ating very largely for hepast few years, and
last year received over $1,000 net profit for
his eyaporated apples. He packs in new bar
rels which he makes himself. Where the
apples are put into the cellar he prefers
keeping in large bins, with the exception of
russets, which should be packed in tight
barrels, as they shrink and wither If ex-
posed to the air. After Mr.. Whittier had
concluded his paper numerous questions
were asked him upon points in his practice
which brought out an animated discussion.
Ihis was participated in by Mr.. Atherton of
Hallowell, Messrs. Nelson and Merrill of
New Gloucester, Mr.. Leland of Pennington,
Mr.. Briggs of Turner aud others. In an
swer to questions Mr. Whittier stated that
he regarded apples of very slight value to
feed to domestic animals of any kind. As to
material for mulching he would use any,
thing except apple pomace and sawdust.
These he would use under no consideration.
Music hall was well filled at the evening
meeting. a very large number of ladies being
In attendance. Upon the Presidents desk
was basket of beautifully arranged cut
flowers and vase of callas, contributed by
Mrs ID. III. Knowlton. Tables on each side
of the hall running its entire length were
loaded with a fine display of fruit, compris-
ing more than three hundred plates, one of
the finest exhibitions ever made at winter
meeting of the society. The evenings exer-
cises opened with piano Duet by Mrs. Nc
Cleary and Miss Angie Allen. A male quar-
tette composed of Prof. burlington, Rev. Mr..
Pope, G. A. Allen and III. III. Rice, also rem
dered two fine selections during the evening.
The papers presented had special reference
TO the subject of Horticulture. The first, by
Mrs. Sarah b. burlington, treated of the love
which IS early shown in the minds of boys
and girls for beautiful forms and colors in
a study of botany and natural sciences
through the love of flowers and plants. A
considerable part of the paper was devoted
to the different flowers which have formed
objects of love for the English and American
poets, and the influence they have had upon
their writings.
The second was by Mrs. Addie S. B. Wes-
ton in the form of a simple story prettily
told, showing the influence of the culture Of
iiiowers In refining and identifying the home
lie OF the common people. Both essays
were well written and received generous ap-
plause. In the absence of Mrs Weston her
essay was very finely read by Miss Ames of
Harrington. A pleasant incident in the
meeting, and one not in the programme. was
reception rendered the members of the So
ciety and visiting friends by Mr.. and Mrs
ID. I'll. Knowlton at their pleasant residence
last evening